The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-01
ORGANS NOT INSPIRED.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC VERSUS
INSPIRED MUSIC.

Animated Debate by the General AS
sembly of the United Presbyterian
Church on the Use of Instrumental
Music-The Brothers Get Warm and
Declare the Organ Must Go.
PHILADELPHIA, May 31.-The question of
instrumental music in the churches will not
stay settled in the General Assembly of the
United Presbyterian church. 1t came up
again to-day in the discussion of the report
of the General Committee on Home Mis-
sions. In the course of the discussion on the
report, general charges of unfaithfulness on
the part of the missionaries were made by
Rev. s. Kennedy, creating something of a
sensation. The burden of his complaint was
that they had used instrumental music in
their service, sin disobedience,n he added,
'of Christ. So long as uninspired melody is
usedn he continued, ''the church will not
contribute to the home missions"
THE BRETHREN GET EXCITED.
A somewhat animated debate followed,
and in brief defense on the report, Rev j.
r. McAllister, of Massachusetts,. made light
of Mr. Kennedy's charges and declared he
was tired of this waving of the bloody
shirt" To bring the point formally before
the assembly, Rev. J. 6. Carson, seconded
by Rev. George c. Vincent, presented this
proposition:
Resolved That no part of the money appro-
priated in this report shall be expended in any
congregation which is known to use Instruments
of music in connection with the worship of
God.
The yeas and nays were called for on this
resolution, the result being a decisive vic
tory for the advocates of instrumental
music.
The resolution was overwhelmingly de
feated. The vote for instrumental
music was 122 against IS.
THE ISSUE AGAIN UP.
Later on, when other business was under
consideration. Rev James Brown revived
the music issue by asking: Am | right in
understanding that the rejection of Dr.
Carsons resolution means that the corrup-
ton of and innovation on the worship of
God in the mission work by the use of in
struments of music is to be continued at the
pleasure of the boardf'
1.-The rejection of the resolution an
swered Moderator Gibson, ''means that this
assembly declines to impose upon the board
any additional rules They now have
ample regulations on the sub
.ject, and by its action to-day
The explanation did not seem to satisfy Rev.
n. Brown, and he was disposed to com
lain.
81 can't see that the situation has been
Improved" he said: there is nothing to
rrevent the continued use of instrumental
usic.n As no one seemed disposed TO
nrther argue the point the subject was
Mropped.
1T AGAIN REAPPEARs.
81 The church extension was discussed at
SNbme length, and the report on that subject
was favorably acted upon
In this connection Rev DR.. Carson found
opportunity to say that he desired it to be
recorded that his views on the matter of
the home missions, with regard to
the instrumental music, be applied
as well to the church extension work
He could not conscientiously contribute to
that work if instrumental music was used
in the churches erected by the extension
funds. DIR. Carson then read a protest
which he desired to have entered against
the action of the assembly in granting APP
preparations to persons and churches where
instrumental music is used. Several of the
members signified their intention of signing
the protest.